Lord Help Us....

swimmie baby

This is Parker at her Waterbabies class.  She loved it.

Halloween

Halloween was so much fun for Parker.  She was in the Rag Shag Parade in downtown Florence - she wasn't sure which she loved more - all of the kids making her laugh or shaking her maraca while riding in her wagon!  Whatever it was, she squealed with joy through the whole thing.  Then she went trick-or-treating with her Godparents to two whole doors.  Then it was tired and cranky and time to go home.  She had a fantastic time - even when Cruella de Ville threatened to make a fur coat out of her.

She loves the beach ....

Here is a video of Parker at the beach...

Kid Loves the Thrill

So we went to the Cape this weekend with Parker's grandparents and Godparents.  We had a great time playing in the sand, looking for crabs, visiting Claudia, and going to P-town.  The best part for Parker, though, was THE BIKE - a little car-thingie we found in the basement in the house where we were staying.  She LOVED being pushed around on it - bumping into everyone and demanding kisses.  It was so much fun her grandparents made a secret stop on the way home to buy her one of her own - with music, laughing kids and horns.  It's day two with it and we've already had to hide it - she refuses to let go, but it's killing our backs!

We're also wondering how kids ever make it past their first year - just today she has fallen from her bike, been pushed aside and sat upon by the dog, had her hand accidentally smashed by a momma, smashed her forehead on the coffee table and fell about another hundred times.  We just have to let her go for it, but we'd be more comfortable if the world were made of rubber.

Poo Poo on Hatred

This week we were a little taken aback by the discovery of a relative's blog, in which there was a post condemning our relationship and the birth of our child - as well as her name! We generally laugh off such ignorance, but it's hard when it's in your family. Honestly, it's really hurt. I (Dale) found myself thinking of spiteful things to say or do in return, but it all just makes my blood boil even more. I know this person will never come around, and our daughter will most likely never even meet them, so why even bother - does it really matter what this person thinks?

The answer, of course, is no, but that's not really true. This election year is so critical - so much is at stake with the the economy, the war and the environment. We do not need someone in the oval office who will continue to alienate and bully other countries, who thinks that global warming is just "God hugging us closer", and who will continue to favor the rich over the poor. And we do not, not, not need someone in office who will set social progress on it's keester. John McCain and Sarah Palin are the exact opposite of what this country needs. McCain's been behind GW every step of the way, and Sarah Palin, aside from being less experienced and more tempermental than a third-grader, is so vehemently anti-gay and anti-woman it's ridiculous. So despite what this person feels about the economy, the war, or the environment, the anti-gay is what is going to drive them to the polls. And that makes me even sadder - particularly for those folks in a state where an anti-gay initiative is on the ballot in November. Hatred has no place in politics, if you ask me.

This person was kind enough to remove the blog post when asked to do so - for that we're grateful. For those that disapprove of our relationship - honestly, we don't care and we wouldn't change a thing about our fabulous family. If folks feel the need to make nasty remarks about our child, though - watch out. We will come back with all of the fury of a mother - TWO mothers, in fact.

This weekend we had a surprise visit from some of Hannah's friends from grad school.  They have their own baby - Avery, who is 15 months old and 30 lbs.!  He's adorable - he and Parker played with blocks and fought over her new xylophone all weekend long.  He's a new walker, which inspired Parker to try to get up on her feet a little more.  

For those of you who don't know, she's firmly planted in the crawling category now - she can also pull her self up to a stand when holding on to something, which means she's all over the place.  She's also eating her share of dirt, grass and dog fur - all rather nutritious, we think!

We also took her to the petting zoo across the street this morning, and we think she had her first mini temper tantrum.  She and Avery both slept the first round through, but when she woke up, she was quite enamored with the sheep and goats, and clinged for dear life to the chain link fence surrounding the goats.  She refused to let go, and had a small fit when we made her.